EasyJet’s chief executive Carolyn McCall said the adoption of new technology would reduce costs, minimise delays caused by maintenance and improve safety.

The carrier’s plans were unveiled as it posted surging passenger numbers during April. It carried nearly 5.8million passengers during April, up from 5.25million in the same month last year, or up 4.2 per cent to 62.4million on a rolling 12-month basis.

Its planes were 89.8 per cent full during April, more than three percentage points higher than the 86.7 per cent registered in April 2013.

Shares in EasyJet climbed 2 per cent higher, up 33.0p to 1,700.0p in late morning trading.